Wiregrass Church
Truth be told, we’re all capable of ending up where we don’t want to be.
The Genetic Fallacy
The fallacy of origins
The fallacy of virtue
The Genetic Fallacy
Discounts the reliability of information based on the source rather than on the merits of the information
How Not to be Your Own Worst Enemy
I would never!
You have participated in all your bad decisions.
A single bad decision is always the first step toward becoming your own worst enemy.
A single bad decision is always the first step toward becoming your own worst enemy.
1 Preemptive Habit
Pay attention to the tension.
2 Preemptive Habit
Pay attention to your narratives.
3 Preemptive Habit
Pay attention to the voices of wisdom around you.
Our worst decisions…
Our worst decision are always preceded by a series of unwise decisions.
1 Kings 12
Saul - 40 years
David - 40 years
Solomon - 40 years
1 Kings 11:28 NIV
Now Jeroboam was a man of standing, and when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force.
1 Kings 11:29 NIV
About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him.
1 Kings 11:31 NIV
“See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes.”
1 Kings 11:34 NIV
“But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon’s hand.”
1 Kings 11:40 NIV
Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt… and stayed there until Solomon’s death.
1 Kings 12:1 NIV
Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had gone there to make him king.
1 Kings 12:2 NIV
When Jeroboam…heard this (he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt.
1 Kings 12:3 NIV
So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him:
1 Kings 12:4 NIV
“Your father put a heavy yoke on us…
1 Kings 12:4 NIV
“Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you.”
1 Kings 12:5 NIV
Rehoboam answered, “Go away for three days and then come back to me.” So the people went away.
1 Kings 12:6 NIV
Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father Solomon during his lifetime.
1 Kings 12:6 NIV
“How would you advise me to answer these people?” he asked.
1 Kings 12:7 NIV
They replied, “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.”
Put their interest ahead of yours.
1 Kings 12:8 NIV
But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him…
It was what he needed to hear.
It was not what he wanted to do.
It was the only way to get to where he wanted to be.
This is how you end up where you don’t want to be.
Whose advice are you currently ignoring?
1 Kings 12:8 NIV
But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men…
1 Kings 12:8 NIV
But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.
1 Kings 12:9 NIV
He asked them, “What is your advice? How should we answer these people who say to me, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?”
The problem with always doing whatyou want to do is you eventually arrive at precisely where you don’t want to be.
1 Kings 12:10 NIV
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’
1 Kings 12:10 NIV
Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my fathers’ waist.
1 Kings 12:11 NIV
My father laid on you a heavy yoke; I will make is even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.’”
1 Kings 12:12 NIV
Three days later Jeroboam and all the people returned to Rehoboam.
1 Kings 12:13 NIV
The king answered the people harshly. Rejecting the advice given him by the elders…
1 Kings 12:14 NIV
My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions.”
1 Kings 12:16 NIV
When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king;
1 Kings 12:16 NIV
“What share do we have in David, what part in Jesse’s son? To your tents, Israel! Look after your own house, David!”
1 Kings 12:16-17 NIV
So the Israelites went home. But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam still ruled over them.
1 Kings 12:18 NIV
King Rehoboam sent out Adoniram, who was in charge of forced labor, but all Israel stoned him to death.
1 Kings 12:19 NIV
So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day.
Weakened
Vulnerable
Invadable
Ask: “What would you do if you were in my shoes?”
We don’t think it’s anyone’s business.
Success is intoxicating.
Somebody can see what you can’t see.
3 COMMITMENT
I will not automatically discount advice based on the source of the advice.
Pay attention to the voices of wisdom around you.
Wise voices set you up for wise choices.
PREEMPTIVE HABITS
1 Pay attention to the tension.
2 Pay attention to your narratives.
3 Pay attention to the voices of wisdom around you.
For Discussion:
1.Are you prone to fall for the genetic fallacy?
Can you think of a time when you discounted good advice because of the source?
2.We’re all prone to lean on our own understanding. Who else should be invited into your decision-making circle?
3.Which of these make it difficult for you to ask: What would you do if you were in my shoes?
•You already know what they’re going to say.
•It’s nobody’s business.
•Success is intoxicating: You don’t need anybody’s advice.
